Not open for membership. Societies are welcome and group rates are available.

Membership:

1319

Course opening hours:

Daylight hours

Green Fees Midweek:

€45

Clubhouse closes:

Green Fees Weekends & B.H.:

€55

Mobile phones:

Not on course or in clubhouse

Green Fees With a Member:

€0

Dress Code:

Neat casual, no denim

Green Fees For Opens:

€0

Catering:

Full catering facilities

Practice Area:

Yes

Days to Avoid:

Sundays & Bank Holidays

Club Hire:

Yes

Green Fees and Societies Welcome:

Other days

Buggy Hire:

No

Pre-booking for open tournaments:

N/A

Soft spikes:

No

Location

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Course Description

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Course Description:

Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links - one of Ireland’s premier places to stay and play classical links golf all year round !

The Links Portmarnock, classically designed by Bernhard Langer, is a highly ranked championship links course built in true traditional links style. Host to many top amateur and professional events, including the 2008 & 2009 Ladies Irish Open. Players of all abilities will enjoy elevated tees and greens, blind approaches and doglegs – not to mention typical links sea breezes, you would be hard pressed to find a more invigorating vision and challenge. The 1st tee and 18th green are conveniently situated just a wedge shot from the hotel (formerly the residence of the Jameson ‘Whiskey Dynasty’ family). Hard to believe such scenic beauty and splendid golf are just 11 miles from Dublin city centre.

Measuring 6,656 metres Par 72 with a standard scratch of 74 off the back tees, Portmarnock Golf Club is acknowledged as one of the truly great links courses in the world. Portmarnock has staged many of the games greatest event’s as far back as 1949 it was the venue of British Amateur Open Championship.

Then in 1960 it was the venue of the Canada Cup, the equivalent of the World, Cup, as we know it today. The arrival of Arnold Palmer the newly crowned US Open Champion and his partner Sam Snead, brought the crowds out as never before. There are many who would argue that this was the beginning of the golf boom in Ireland. It has since staged twelve Irish Opens and was the venue of the Walker Cup in 1991, when Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson, Padraig Harrington among others did battle.

Portmarnock has witnessed some memorable golf matches. In the 1927 Irish Open George Duncan shot a 74 in a howling gale, when nobody else in the field could manage to break 80, this to this day is considered to be the best golfer ever played on these famous links. In the 1959 Irish Open J. B. Carr carded four rounds under 70 and looked like winning the Championship, only to watch "Himself" shoot a 66 to pinch the title.

J. B. considers this to be the biggest disappointment in his illustrious golfing carrier. Every hole at Portmarnock could be considered a feature hole, but the 174 metres Par 3 Index 12 15th guarded by two jaw bunkers and its hog’s back green, is in my opinion the signature hole.

Portmarnock retained the services of the renowned British course architect, Fred Hawtree, to design an additional 9-holes at the hallowed links, these holes are woven seamlessly within the Championship Course. The Clubhouse is a magnificent Tudor building where the visitor will find a warm welcome after a memorable game of golf, having experienced the stunning views delightful views of Lambay Island, Ireland’s Eye and Howth Head as you walk the hallowed turf.

Voted the No. 2-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Golf Digest Ireland” in 2008. Portmarnock Old was voted No. 2 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2008, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland.

Instituted 1894, affiliated 1895. Had the British War Department had its way, the world-famous links we know as Portmarnock Golf Club would never have come into being. In 1891, an inquiry was held at Baldoyle police station, as the Secretary of the War Department wanted to purchase the lands under the compulsory powers confirmed on him by the Barracks Act, 1890, and use it as a rifle range.The land was purchased by the Jameson family in 1847 and comprised of 500 acres. John Jameson and the local fishermen objected to the compulsory purchase and won their case.

As with most other clubs in Ireland, the early minutes of the club are missing, however there are several good accounts in publications at the turn of the century about the formation of the club. Mr. W. C. Pickman visited the peninsula on September, 1884, and immediately saw the potential for a golf course in the sand dunes. He called a meeting of his Scottish and Irish friends. Twenty-one attended the meeting, sixteen Scots, three Irish and two English.

They all agreed to establish a club and a deputation went to see Mr. John Jameson, D. L., who recalled his father and friends playing golf there when he was a boy. He agreed to lease the land and an agreement was signed on 1st October, 1894. The first officers of the club were Mr. John Jameson, President, Mr. George Ross, Captain, Mr. A. Walker, Treasurer, Mr. W. C. Pickman, Hon. Secretary, with Mr. Walter Hume and J. C. Anderson as trustees.

It is worth noting that George Ross was an Irishman and held the office of Captain for the first three years. The original nine-holes were laid out by Mr. W. C. Pickman and approved by Mongo Park, who had won the Open in 1874 and later became the professional at Portmarnock after a short stay at Foxrock. At Easter, 1896, the full eighteen-holes and clubhouse were opened. At this stage the club had 150 members and the clubhouse cost £500.

The additional land was sold to the club at a nominal sum of £10 by John Jameson, provided no golf was played on Sunday. The holes varied in length from 150 to 520 yards. The only access was by ferry to the peninsula and the development of the course was true pioneer work. By 1898, the GUI had added the club to its rota of championship courses, the others being Dollymount (The Royal Dublin G. C.), Portrush, and Newcastle.

As early as 1899, the first of many major championships was held when John Ball Jnr., beat F. W. Williamson in the final of the Irish Amateur Open Championship. In 1949, the British Amateur Championship was played at Portmarnock, the first time this prestigious tournament was played outside that country. Max McCready won it. Many other prestigious tournaments were to follow.

Christy O’Connor won the Dunlop Masters, in 1959 with a final round of 66 to pip J. B. Carr. It hosted the Canada Cup in 1960, the Irish Open several times, the Walker Cup, to name but a few. We owe a great deed of gratitude to John Jameson for his spirited defence in June, 1892; otherwise, this world-famous links might have ended up as a rifle range.

Members Achievements

Portmarnock Golf Club have a long and proud history in the Irish Senior Cup, and 2007 was no different when the won the Leinster Final and went to Shandon Park Golf Club to play their part in the All-Ireland Finals decider on Friday 14th September, where they met Ulster Champions Banbridge in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals.They came up against a star-studded Banbridge team that included the reigning East of Ireland Champion in the form of Richard Kilpatrick, Jim Carvill who won the East of Ireland and the West of Ireland in2005, and Rory Leonard who has been in the frame as long as I can remember, since he was a boy.

Portmarnock Golf Club had a bad day against the Ulster Champions when they recorded a 4 ½ matches to ½ match in the All-Ireland Semi-Final, as ever with Portmarnock they will be back again and again.

First on the tee was Michael Brett who lost out to Rory Leonard by 5 and 4, he was followed by Geoff Lenehan against Alistair McCully with the Ulster man recording a 3 and 2 win. Next up was David Kelleher against Richard Kilpatrick who delivered a crushing 6 and 5 victory over the Portmarnock man. The penultimate match say the veteran Adrian Morrow against Connor Doran, with Adrian losing out by 4 and 3. Niall Goulding played anchor against Jim Carvill and the match was halved.

Noel Fox and A. McAllister were selected on the Leinster team for the Interprovincial Matches played at their home club from 11th to 13th August 2004. Noel Fox was selected to play in the Home Internationals at Prestwick Golf Club from 8th to 10th September 2004.

Portmarnock Golf Club had another fine win in the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup at Lisburn Golf Club on 12th September 2003, when they beat Ulster Champions Malone by 4 1/2 matches to 1/2. The team on the day was Adrian Morrow, Michael Brett, Niall Goulding, Noel Fox and Dermot Snow.

Portmarnock won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup when they beat Grange at Co. Louth by 3.5 to 1.5. The team was Noel Fox, Dermot Snow, Adrian Morrow, Michael Brett and Angus McAllister. They were managed by Brian Bolger and Eddie Butler. They were drawn against Munster Champions Limerick in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals at Galway Golf Club on September 6th 2002. They went down to Limerick by 3-half matches to 1-half. The team on the day was Adrian Morrow, Niall Goulding, Noel Fox, David Kelleher and Dermot Snow.

Noel Fox, was one of four Irish golfers selected on the Walker Cup panel for 2003. Noel was selected on the Irish Team to play in the Eisenhower Trophy in Kuala Lumpur from the 24th to the 27th October 2002.

Portmarnock won the Leinster Section of the Irish Senior Cup at Skerries Golf Club on the 2nd of September 2001. They beat Edenderry in the Quarter-Finals and Elm Park in the Semi-Finals. They met Grange in the afternoon Finals, David Kellihar beat David Carroll by 5 and 4. In the top match Irish Youths' Champion got the better of Irish International Adrian Morrow by 2 and 1.

Dermot Snow beat Simon Cranley on the 17th, Mick McGinley continued his unbeaten record in the Senior Cup when he won his match against Portmarnock's Michael Brett. It was down to my friend Hugh Hanley to try and get the better of Noel Fox, fresh from shooting a 60 in the Mullingar Scratch Cup.

Portmarnock booked their place at the finals in Newlands by 3 matches to 2 matches. Where they got to yet another Blue Ribbon Senior Cup final and were narrowly beaten on the 18th in the final match by Mallow Golf Club. Noel Fox was selected on the six-man Irish team for the Lytham Trophy played on the 6th-7th of May. He was also selected for the European Team Championship at Ljunghusens G.C., Sweden on July 3rd to the 7th 2001.

Noel and Adrian Morrow were selected to represent Ireland in the Governor Hugh Carey Cup at their home club from the 8th-9th of May 2001.

Portmarnock Golf Club has a long and proud history in the National Championships, having last won the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup at Portstewart G. C. in 1995, when the team was, Noel Fox, M. F. Morris, Dermot Snow, D. Kelleher, Adrian Morrow, they were Captained by P. Gogarty.

Portmarnock Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup at Cork G. C. in 1930.

They first won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup in 1902.

I was delighted to read about Portmarnock President, Dan, 82 years young, and John Lynch winning the Father & Son at this famous club. They beat Doughie and 13 year-old Nicholas Heather 2 and 1, in a final that had to be postponed, while Dan was having a pacemaker fitted. Doughie of course was an Irish International, now playing off a handicap of 2. Dan used to be my late parents solicitor, for whom they had the highest respect for. He gave them some wonderful advice in his day.

Noel Fox won the Irish Open Championship at The Royal Dublin and the West of Ireland Championship at Co. Sligo in 2000. He was selected on the Walker Cup panel for the 2001 clash. He and Adrian Morrow were selected to represent Ireland in the men's Home Internationals at Royal Co. Down, on 22nd-24th September, 1999. Noel was also selected to play at the Maidstone Club in New York, on 13-14 October, 1999.

Hugh McKeown played in the British Seniors Amateur Open Championship at Frifford Heath G. C., in August, 1999.

M. Morris participated in the Home International matches from 1993 to 1998, having played 32 matches. He won the Willie Gill Perpetual Trophy in 1978, with 90 points.

Adrian Morrow participated in the Home International matches from 1975 to 1997, playing 29 times. He won the Willie Gill Perpetual Trophy in 1983, with 100 points and represented Leinster from 1982 to 1998, having played 55 matches.

Noel Fox participated in the Home International Matches from 1996 to 1998, representing Leinster from 1996 to 1998, playing 18 matches; he played Leinster Youths' in 1995. Noel was a member of the Walker Cup squad and was selected together with Colin Moriarty of Athlone G. C. to be played at Nairn in Scotland from 11th-12th of September 2003.

Nial Goulding won the Willie Gill Perpetual Award in 1991, with 125 points and represented Leinster from 1988 to 1990, and Connaught 1991 to 1997 playing 23 matches.

R. Conway participated in the Boys' Home International matches and represented Leinster in 1995, and played Leinster Youths' from 1990 to 1991, playing 11 matches.

B. G. Cashell represented Ulster from 1977 to 1985.

D. J. Conway represented Leinster in 1981.

D. Snow represented Leinster in 1998. C. Cassidy played Connaught Youths' in 1988 and in 1991. R. Donald played Leinster Youths' in 1991. Stanley Livingstone, (I presume!) who has been playing golf for 40 years, recorded his 15th Hole-in-One on the 156 metre 7th some time ago, It was his 7th at his home course of Portmarnock G. C.